Kannur: Some locals have claimed to have spotted rape-murder convict Govindachamy in the Thalappa area of Kannur. A dog squad began searching an abandoned area overgrown with thickets after a witness reported seeing the convict. But the officials are yet to confirm whether the fugitive is hiding here. Natives here also joined the search.

Speaking to the media, the witness said Govindachamy fled into the thickets when he called out to him by name. An autorickshaw driver also reported seeing a man resembling Govindachamy walking with a bag.

Govindachamy, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman, escaped from the prison in the early hours of Friday. 

Police have also collected CCTV footage in which the convict is reportedly seen walking along a road.

Reports suggest that he escaped from the prison around 1.15 am. Some of the officials who reached the parade ground spotted a rope made of clothing dangling down the wall at around 5.15 am. This raised suspicion, and authorities checked the cells and confirmed that Govindachamy escaped by cutting open the iron bars of the cell. He used clothes of remand prisoners to make the rope, prison authorities said.